July 2021: Tarot spread for the full moon in Aquarius

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, and additional resources for the July 2021 full moon in Aquarius.

The July 2021 full moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. The independent, free-thinking Aquarius archetype encourages us to examine our inner wild self and celebrate everything that makes us unique. It is the archetype of the reformer, the idealist who strives for tolerance, unity, and a better and brighter society. And despite these rather lofty ideals, the Aquarius archetype isn’t afraid to get in there and get its hands dirty.

Spiritually, the Aquarius archetype teaches us how to be true to our own voice, to listen to and follow the calling of our own heart and soul. By learning how to tune in rather than out, by being true to the things that make us unique, we undertake the journey to individuation.

The July 2021 full moon also highlights the things that delight us, that bring us a measure of beauty and joy. It shines a sweet light on our creative ingenuity, as we navigate these strange times. These last 17 odd months have brought immense suffering, sweeping away everything that we knew, and everything that was familiar. These months have marked us and changed us, and as we start to – hopefully – see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, we aren’t still fully out of the woods yet.

Navigating through the promise of a return to normality will bring its own set of challenges and considerations. While some of us may be eager to get back into the thick of life, some of us may find a return to life as usual difficult. As we reassess our priorities and our values, this Aquarius full moon reminds us to center our own heart’s longing in creative and ingenious ways.

Astro-tarot influences for the Aquarius full moon

To throw some more light on the July full moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Aquarius full moon falls in decan 1, which is represented by the 5 of Swords. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Star, which is associated with Aquarius.

The 5 of Swords represents cutting your losses and treading carefully with what you say. There’s also an element of overcoming inner demons, negative mindsets, and painful comparisons. The Star is a card of healing, rest, and hope – the calm after a storm. It represents a time to be open and true to yourself and those around you.

Combined, these cards speak to me of the pain of comparison and the sweet balm of hope. If there is one overarching lesson this pandemic has taught me, it is to redirect my focus to what is happening around me – within my locus of control. With 24×7 access to news from around the world, and hot takes on every topic under the sun on social media, it’s easy to think that the world is a dumpster fire that could explode at any second.

While there’s no doubt that there is much that is wrong with the world, there is also a lot that is right. For all the stories of horrifying discrimination, there are numerous stories of human kindness that we do not always hear.

When we can direct our attention to the communities around us, we can get a better perspective on ground realities and find ways in which we can make a difference, if we so choose. This is, in many ways, a much more manageable fight that is comparatively easier on our fragile nervous systems. It also allows us to offer support where it is needed in more tangible ways, so we feel less like armchair warriors {and despite what people say, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that} and more like we are actively involved, be it in the frontline of the fight or in the background, offering care and support as needed.

Equally, this Aquarius full moon offers us the opportunity to examine all of the ways in which we compare and judge ourselves for our real and perceived flaws. There’s no denying that social media can make icky comparisons that much easier. For all the ways in which it can help us build meaningful communities, social media envy is a very real phenomenon. It’s easy to look at everyone’s highlight reels and compare it with the entirety of our messy human life.

Pay attention to how the different social media accounts you follow and the social media platforms you are active on make you feel. Do they feel inspiring, nourishing, and/or joyful? Or do they bring out your worst emotions or make you anxious? It’s perfectly OK to mute or unfollow accounts that no longer spark joy.

Turn, instead, to the small pleasures of life; to the quiet beauty in the small moments. Reassess your values and what makes you tick, and turn ever so gently towards the direction that feels most resonant for you at this time.

Sabian Symbol for the July 2021 full moon

The Sabian Symbol for Aquarius 1 degree is An Unexpected Thunderstorm.

I love thunderstorms – there’s something awe-inspiring about nature’s fury. Fast winds, loud claps of thunder, flashes of lightning. It’s exciting and scary at the same time, and it makes me feel fully alive.

The storms that happen in our lives, though, can be more difficult to handle. Unexpected occurrences that upend our careful calculations and comfortable routines are generally not welcome. Yet, storms often – not always – can also make us feel more alive. They often put our inner strength and abilities to the test. In the turmoil and strife we are more awake and alive to the whole spectrum of our emotions. And if we can buckle up and go on the ride, storms can, often, liberate us.

Tarot spread for the Aquarius full moon

Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this full moon cycle.

1. I’m feeling: this will mirror an aspect of yourself you haven’t been fully aware of.
2. I’m longing for: sometimes we aren’t quite sure what we want, except “not this”. let this card spark some ideas for what you do want
3. I’m embodying my wild self: how can you embrace your inner wild nature? the part of you that is free and fearless? This card helps you answer that.
4. Mama moon says: This is always meant to be read positively.

If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories so we can connect with each other.

Journaling questions for the July 2021 full moon

You can use these journaling questions instead of the tarot spread, if tarot isn’t your thing. Cardslingers, you can also use these journaling prompts for further reflection:

What sparks joy for me? Make a list. Then do at least one thing from that list everyday.

What’s my relationship with social media and/or with news sources? What changes, if any, do I need to make?

As a fun challenge: find + document your moments of ordinary beauty. You can do this in your journal, or on Instagram, or with a few of your friends. Keep up this practice for as long as it feels good and interesting for you.

Take a deep dive into astrology, tarot, mixed media and developing your intuition!

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